FORD SHOOTS AND SCORES WITH SUPPORT OF HBCU
STUDENTS AT 2005 CIAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

l As the leading corporate partner with the CIAA basketball tournament, Ford will donate $100,000 to the CIAA general scholarship fund.

l During Ford Finals night at the tournament, on Saturday, March 5, Ford will give students and fans a chance to win a 2005 Mustang GT and $10,000 in educational scholarships.

Raleigh, March 1, 2005 - Ford is improving the academic outlook for students at the 2005 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) basketball tournament by awarding over $100,000 in scholarships and providing them a chance to win an all-new 2005 Ford Mustang GT.

Ford's $100,000 donation to the CIAA general scholarship fund, the 2005 Free Throw Shoot-Out scholarship contest and the Mustang GT Fantastic Giveaway are the most recent examples of Ford's over 40 year commitment to actively give back to and support Historic Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The CIAA tournament is an excellent venue for Ford to help bring families and friends together to enjoy the unique experiences that come from the spirited competition between these historic schools.

"With these scholarships and 5 years of tournament support, Ford is helping shape the lives of young people by enabling them to receive a quality education and by providing excellent transportation to take the experience they have learned to new places," said Steve Lyons, Ford Division president.

The Free Throw Shoot-Out contest took place at various regular season CIAA conference basketball games. Twelve students who won in these shoot-out qualifier rounds received an all-expense-paid trip for two to the 2005 CIAA tournament along with $200 stipend and a chance to compete in the final shoot-out during Ford Finals night on Saturday, March 5. The grand prize for the final shoot-out is a $5,000 educational scholarship. The runner-up will receive a $3,000 scholarship, third place a $1,500 scholarship, fourth place a $500 scholarship and the remaining nine contestants will walk away with $100 scholarships.

The twelve contestants for the Ford Mustang GT Fantastic Giveaway were selected from a random drawing. They too received an all-expense-paid trip for two to the 2005 CIAA tournament along with $200 spending money. During Ford Finals night, each of these twelve contestants, along with three additional contestants selected during tournament week, will get a chance to win a 2005 Ford Mustang GT. They will all be given one chance to select a spot on the court and make a shot in both baskets. This can include performing a lay-up and a full court basket or two half court shots. If they can complete both shots, then they will win a new Ford Mustang GT.

Ford Motor Company has supported HBCUs for more than 40 years through various grants, donations and scholarship funds. This year, Ford celebrates its fifth consecutive year of supporting the CIAA tournament with more than $500,000 in total donations. In 2005, Ford will continue its support of HBCUs through various new and longstanding sponsorships, donations, scholarships and educational programs.

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 325,000 employees and 110 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Motor Credit Company and Hertz. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com.

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